Neural Stimulation for treatment of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes

• US 8,838,231 B2
• Filed: 06/03/2011
• Issued: 09/16/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Dobak, John D. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Koharski, Christopher D
• Assistant Examiner(s): OROPEZA, FRANCES P
• Application Number:
  US13/152,777
• Publication Number:
  US 20110238128A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,201 Days
• Field of Search: 607/2, 607/44, 607/118
• US Class Current: 607/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36007 of urogenital or gastrointestinal organs, e.g. for incontinence control
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36085 Eating disorders or obesity
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36135 using physiological parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3615 Intensity
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36167 Timing, e.g. stimulation onset

Abstract

Systems and methods are described for treating metabolic syndrome and/or Type 2 diabetes, and/or one or more of their attendant conditions, by neural stimulation. In one embodiment, an implantable pulse generator is electrically coupled to a peripheral nerve, such as the splanchnic nerve. Neural stimulation configured to either block transmission or stimulate transmission of the peripheral nerve may be used to treat metabolic syndrome and Type 2 diabetes.

Claims

1. A method of lowering blood pressure in a subject comprising:

establishing a baseline blood pressure;

electrically stimulating the splanchnic nerve with at least one stimulation pattern for a first time period;

subsequent to the step of stimulating the splanchnic nerve, waiting a second time period for the mean arterial blood pressure of the subject to drop to or below the established baseline blood pressure;

repeating the steps of stimulating and waiting until the blood pressure of the subject is lower that the baseline blood pressure.

2. A method of treating a subject having hypertension comprising:

selecting a subject having hypertension; and

electrically stimulating the splanchnic nerve with at least one stimulation pattern until the mean arterial blood pressure of the subject is within a predefined limit.

3. A method of improving the cardiovascular health of a subject comprising:

selecting a subject that is exercise compromised;

measuring an at least one cardiovascular metric;

electrically stimulating the splanchnic nerve with at least one stimulation pattern, wherein the electrical stimulation with the at least one stimulation pattern occurs for at least one week; and

measuring the at least one cardiovascular metric, wherein the cardiovascular metric is improved.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the at least one stimulation pattern comprises at least one frequency, at least one pulse width and at least one current.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the at least one frequency is less than 20 Hz.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the current is less than 1 mA.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the pulse width is less than 600 microseconds.

8. The method according to claim 3, further comprising titrating the stimulation pattern to a physiological marker.

9. The method according to claim 3, wherein the step of selecting a subject further includes selecting a subject that also displays a disorder selected from obesity, metabolic syndrome and diabetes.